Sanding machine



June 26, 1945.

J. zuK

SANDING MACHINE 7 Filed May 5 1944 I-INVENTOR. Jase i Zv/r w Wis lforge] Patented June 26, 1945 [awe A SANDING MACHINE I Joseph Zuk,Chicago, ll]. 7

r h Application Mayfi, 1944, Serial No. 534,215

.3 Claims. (oral-135) This invention relates to certain novelimprovements in sanding machines, that is, a machine constructed andadapted to-sand panel surfaces and the like by means of a continuoustraveling belt.

More specifically the invention is concerned with the novel andeffective manner of holding the work in place during the sandingoperation and taking out of the work any warp or uneven surface whichwould otherwise interfere with the effective sanding operation of themachine.

Among thesalient objects of the invention is theconstruction of a deviceof the character hereinafter described which will be highly efii- -cientin use-and economical in'manufacture.

' I-Ieretofore, in the art of sanding surfaces such as panels and thelike, the panel is arranged upon a'supporting platform or grille platebe neath the traveling belt having an abrasive or sanding materialthereon. In the sanding operation the position of the work is such thatthe operator has'veiy little, if any, opportunity of holding the worksteadily in place or pressing the same down to remove the warps or othercurved portions thereof, this being due to the fact that the work isoftentimes covered by the sanding belt. It is, therefore, one of themany objects of this invention to provide a simple and effectivearrangement for holding the work in place and for maintaining it in asubstantially fiat horizontal position during the sanding operation.

Other objects will appear hereinafter. The invention consists in thenovel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter describedand claimed.

The invention will be best understood by refer- I ence to theaccompanying drawing showing the preferred form of construction, and inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a typical side elevational view of a sanding machineillustrating my attachment associated therewith; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the work holdin platform orgrille.-

The drawing illustrates the preferred form of construction of myinvention by which the several objects are accomplished.

The usual and standard sanding machine of the type with which myinvention is associated, comprises a table ill on which is mounted awork platform or grille II. In some cases this grille H is slidabletransversely of the table II] to. permit shifting of the work l2 beneaththe sanding belt to be hereinafter referred to. In other cases, thiswork supporting platform or grille ll is stationary. Ineither case, myinvention will be useful. I I v This sanding machine furtherincludesbrackets l3 of any approved design and construction andsupported from the 'table- I0- and having bearings l4 formed therein.In'these bearings.

l4 there are jo'u rnalled shafts 15. These shafts have'mounted thereonrollers-l6, either'on'e of which may be driven by a suitable drivingagent such as an electric motor (not shown) orthe like. The'rollers l6are so arranged as to guide a sand ing'belt I! in spaced parallelrelation with respect to the grille II. In the present instancefthcupper run l8 of the belt passes over an idle roller Carried by the tableIn in anysuitablemanner as at 2|] is a supporting plate 2| .having transversely extending bores 22 formed therein, Slidably mounted in eachofthesebores 22 is aconduit 23. Each conduit 23 terminates into anipp'le24 and secured to this nipple in anyapproved manner as at 25 aresuctioncups 26 preferably formed of rubber or other compressible orresilient material.

These cups 26 are disposed within an open area 21 formed in the grilleII and are supported by the supporting plate 2| in such manner that eachcup may be adjusted longitudinally of the grille II for reasonshereinafter set forth.

The opposite end of each of the conduits 23 likewise terminates into anipple 28, and each of the nipples 28 has secured thereto the end 29 ofa flexible hose 30, the flexibility of the hose 30 being such as topermit the ready adjustment of the cups 26 in the manner hereinbeforestated. Each hose 30 communicates with a valve structure 3| of anyapproved construction, but preferably including a foot-operated valvestem 32 comprising a foot pedal or plate 33. This valve structure 3| hascommunication through the medium of a conduit 34 with a suction pump 3i(symbolically illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2) of a well-known and approvedconstruction which in its operation creates a suction within the cups 26when the valve 3| is open.

In the usual operation of a standard sanding machine of the typehereinbefore described, the operator places the work 12 upon the grilleand through the medium of the use of a flat trowel 35 or the like hepresses the same down upon the belt ll, bringing the abrasive surfacethereof into contact with the work by zig-zagging his hand transverselyof the belt so as tocause the trowel 35 to impart a zig-zag movement tothe belt ll and the abrasive surface thereof will likewise be tion overthe open space 21 into contact with the tops of the cups 26 and thenpresses upon the foot pedal 33 by means of his foot, causing the valvestem 32 to move downwardly and upon the valve structure 3|, bringingabout suction within the cups 26 by operation of the suction motor 3|.This suction created in these cups 26 will draw the ends of the paneldown against the grille H and firmly hold the work I2 in sandingposition.

:If the panel l2 be warped or buckled, this suctionwill also cause thepanel l2 to flatten out upon the grille ll, thus permitting the operatorto effectively perform the sanding operations.

In the drawing and description herein, I have described one form forcarrying my invention into effect. This form may change withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and therefore I do not wishto be limited to the precise form shown, but desire to avail myself ofall forms which come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I work mounted on said grille,means for holding said work upon said grille during sanding operation onsaid work by said belt, said means including a suction pump, resilientcups adapted to engage the surface of said work, means providingconection between said cups and said pump, and means for mounting saidcups for adjustment relative to said grille.

2. In combination with a sanding machine which comprises a grille uponwhich work to be sanded is mounted and a sanding belt movable in spacedparallel relation with respect to said grille and adapted to be broughtinto contact "with work mounted on said grille, means for holding saidwork upon said grille during sanding operation on said work by saidbelt, said means including a suction pump, resilient cups adapted toengage the surface of said work, means providing connection between saidcups and said pump, foot-operated means controlling communicationbetween said cups and said pump, and means for mounting said cups foradjustment relative to said grille.

3. In combination with a sanding machine which comprises a grille uponwhich work is adapted to be mounted and a continuously traveling sandingbelt, a run of which extends in parallel spaced relation with respect tosaid grille and is adapted to be brought into contact with the work uponsaid grille, means for flattening said work upon said grille and forholding said work firmly in position upon said grille during the sandingoperation comprising suction means disposed in position with respect tosaid grille in contact with the surface of said work, foot-oper-,

ated means for controlling the operation of said suction means, saidsuction means including spaced resilient cup-like members, and means formounting said cup-like members for adjustment relative to said grilleand work supported thereon.

JOSEPH ZUK.

